pleonasm

noun ple·o·nasm \ˈplē-ə-ˌna-zəm\

Definition of PLEONASM

: the use of more words than those necessary to denote mere sense (as in the man he said) : redundancy

: an instance or example of pleonasm

— ple·o·nas·tic \ˌplē-ə-ˈnas-tik\ adjective

— ple·o·nas·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Late Latin pleonasmus, from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein to be excessive, from pleiōn, pleōn more — more at plus

First Known Use: 1610

Next Word in the Dictionary: pleonastePrevious Word in the Dictionary: pleonAll Words Near: pleonasm

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